More than a dozen participants from the Baltimore region are currently in Israel competing at the 2026 Maccabiah Games, a part of Maccabi USA’s 903-member delegation.
The delegation from the area includes five athletes and one member of the medical staff from Pikesville; two athletes and one assistant coach from Baltimore City; one athletic trainer from Owings Mills and Columbia; a head coach from Owings Mills; and athletes from Cockeysville and Annapolis.
“Many of our athletes have been part of this delegation, looking forward to this experience for two years,” Maccabi USA CEO Marshall Einhorn told Baltimore Jewish Times. “It’s an amazing group of dedicated athletes and families.”
The Jewish Baltimore athletes are competing in either golf, soccer, basketball, tennis, softball or futsal.
“I went to the tryouts … found out I made a team, and I was like, this is the easiest decision, of course,” said Dalia Leibowitz from Pikesville. “Of course I’m going. I get to be in Israel.”
Leibowitz, 21, is competing in the open 3v3 women’s basketball.
“It’s just been a really great time, meeting teams from all over the world,” she added. “I feel like everyone’s so open to meeting everyone, making new friends — we all have something in common that we can bond over. It’s just been a really great time, and I feel like I’ve met a lot of new people, people that I’ll stay in touch with.”
“[Last Thursday] when we pushed into the opening ceremony, we were a 900-person-strong delegation,” Einhorn added. “We’re very proud of that. That number represents a significant commitment to … be here and compete together as a global Jewish sports community.”
Beyond the athletes, coaches and medical staff, also joining Maccabi USA are student journalists, volunteers and managers ranging in age from 14 to 87.
“Our over 900 athletes, coaches, journalists, and volunteers are telling the world that American Jews stand with Israel, and that we will keep showing up with our families, our flags, and our love of our homeland, no matter what. Our delegation represents the strength, diversity, and spirit of American Jewish life, and we are proud to create opportunities that connect these world-class athletes to Israel, to one another, and to the global Jewish community. The friendships, memories, and experiences they will take home will last far beyond the Games themselves,” said Einhorn in a press release. “This is the essence of Judaism — resilience, commitment to our community and love of Israel.”
The games were postponed to this year after the outbreak of war between Israel and Iran last summer.
“There has not been a more important time in recent memory to unite the Jewish community in America and around the world,” Donald Kent, president of the board of Maccabi USA, said in a press release. “We need something we can all celebrate together and be proud of. The Maccabiah — often called the Jewish Olympics — has brought Jews together through sport every four years since 1932. This summer, gathering once again in Israel is a powerful reminder of our shared history, our resilience, and our future.”
Other than the competition itself, Maccabi USA has expanded the 2026 games to include different programming. The student journalists in attendance are a part of the Maccabi Media program. This year, 16 students from Syracuse University, Northwestern University, Penn State, Brandeis University and more have joined the delegation to host broadcasts, conduct interviews and more to gain hands-on experience.
Maccabi USA’s Paralympic team also joined the delegation.
mresnicow@midatlanticmedia.com
